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Underground > Radio & Music >

The Polyphonic Spree

16:09 / 24.08.04

When they first walked out onto the stage with those little, 'you don't know what you're getting ready to hear' smiles on their faces, and all looking suspiciously happy, or course I wondered. Shortly after they started, I though naaahh. Towards the end it didn't even matter.
Anyway, their new album is out and I love it. Huge, optimistic, harmonic, hopeful, with just enough view of the sadness that inspires such happy music. And it's mostly made by people, like us, who you wouldn't think would be cool enough to be in a band.
And, which I found comforting, I saw an interview by frontman/songwriter Tim Delaugher. He seemed nothing like some power-mad guru, and exactly like some hippyish kid from Texas who loved music and found away to make exactly the kind of music he loves.

01:09 / 25.08.04

I'm a massive fan of the band. I love the first album, but the second totally eclipses it. I love the way that each album feels more like a little symphony than a collection of songs. The reprise of 'It's The Sun' on the new album was brilliant.

And, I'm seeing them live for the first time tomorrow. From what I hear, it should be an amazing show, so I'm pretty psyched.

03:00 / 25.08.04

I'm not really a super huge fan of the band, they are pleasant to listen to and all, but I have to say their logo is really wonderful.

ONLY NICE THINGS

11:44 / 25.08.04

Tim Delaughter is an indie stalwart. His previous band, Tripping Daisy, has its moments, and I imagine he got the Polyphonic Spree together for musical rather than cult purposes.

18:17 / 25.08.04

its not that they are a weird cult, its that they are a group of christians, or perhaps you'd say crypto-christians, expressing a christian ecstasy through pop music. whether this is a good thing or a bad thing (or a weird thing) depends on your position on the current rise of christianity -- overt and covert -- in american pop music.

22:31 / 25.08.04

So is their new album worth picking up? Quite liked their last one, 40 minute dirge bonus track excluded. Liked the "mad optimism informed by awareness of sorrow" aspect that someone mentioned above.

22:33 / 25.08.04

its not that they are a weird cult, its that they are a group of christians

Same difference. Don't have a problem with either.

03:38 / 26.08.04

So is their new album worth picking up?

Definitely, I think it's a vast improvement over the already amazing first album. The songs have a bit more depth, and there's a lot more spotlighting of individual instruments, rather than just having the whole band play all the time. And, the fact that there are more solo parts makes the full band explosions even more satisfying. I'd say if you liked the first one, definitely pick it up.

And, I just got back from the live show. Absolutely amazing. On the first song they played, I could literally feel the music when all the band first came in. It's by far the best concert I've ever been to, just totally overwhelming with joy.

03:41 / 26.08.04

its not that they are a weird cult, its that they are a group of christians, or perhaps you'd say crypto-christians, expressing a christian ecstasy through pop music.

I don't really see it as a specifically Christian ecstasy. There's one line about a crucifix on the second album, but other than that, it seems to be more about general happiness than any sort of specifically Christian happiness. If anything, they'd be supporters of Ra, the sun god, based solely on the lyrical content of their music.

12:32 / 26.08.04

I think it's pretty obvious that the god worshipped by the Spree is named Wayne Coyne.

Regrettable Juvenilia

13:05 / 26.08.04

13:40 / 26.08.04

I heard one track off the new album (possibly the single) which was great up to the point they started singing "feed the trees!" or "hug the trees" or something. I can handle a fair bit of twee (ho ho) but that was taking things a bit too far, even for me. Is there a lot of that sort of thing on the new one? I loved the last album and don't want to miss out on account of one part of one song.

16:05 / 26.08.04

This
is their lyrics page. They do seem wildly optimistic, unrepetently goofy, not hip at all. They also make the music that I want to hear resounding down from the sky. If you really want to see twee, if I understand the word correctly, check out some video of their live show.
My favorite quote from Delaughter in the interview on the dvd that came with the cd: "We ARE punk rock." (not in the sense that they are the entirity of what is punk, but that what they do is, in fact, punk) That or the bit about how every show is a celebration, even if they don't know what the hell they're celebrating.
Anyway, I tend to get fervent whenever I find music I really like. These guys really convinced me the second time I saw them. I was concerned that it might not move me as much without the newness/novelty factor. The second show was just as momentous, new songs, tighter arrangemments, better sound. I think, am not sure, that they play significantly with the arrangements, maybe not between every show, but from time to time.
It's my understanding that a member of The Tripping Daisies killed himself. Anyone know if that was after they broke up, or the cause of the breakup? It feels like The Spree results from Delaughter coming out the other side of a pretty dark time, but I'm good at making things up sometimes.

flufeemunk effluvia

16:22 / 29.08.04

They're so happy they changed from white robes to MULTICOLORED ROBES.

I wonder if they want a Theremin player... I can also make animal noises...

03:47 / 30.08.04

"I'd Like to buy the World a Coke" revisited.

20:56 / 30.08.04

I heard one track off the new album (possibly the single) which was great up to the point they started singing "feed the trees!" or "hug the trees" or something. I can handle a fair bit of twee (ho ho) but that was taking things a bit too far, even for me. Is there a lot of that sort of thing on the new one? I loved the last album and don't want to miss out on account of one part of one song.

The bit you're thinking is probably from 'The Fool Becomes King,' in which they sing "Hail to the sky, trees want to grow, grow, grow, grow," which even as a huge fan, sort of crossed the goofy line. But, that's the only lyric on the album I questioned. So, I'd reccomend checking it out, it's not all like that, and even that part of the song is saved by some great instrumental stuff.

16:10 / 05.10.04

Everytime I listen to the album and it gets to the reprise of It's the Sun at the end, I just can't stop a big stupid grin from spreading across my face.
For me, that's what they do, the music just makes me real happy.
Got myself some tickets to go see them in November and I can't wait. As has been said earlier in this thread, apparently seeing them live is a totally new thing. Ooooh, it's so exciting!